A building inspection is a must! Inspectors make sure the construction, repairs, and alterations are up to standards, and contract specifications: this includes safety concerns and structural quality.
Specifically, the building inspector will be checking the location, electrical system, heating system, smoking regulations, housekeeping, private protection, emergency evacuation, and a group of “miscellaneous” items.
Location: some of the areas the building inspector will looking at are: is the address and/or identity of the building clear and visible? Are the exits onto public streets cleared of any obstructions? Are the external lights all working? Are fire hydrants clear and does the exterior of the building have emergency vehicle access?
When it comes to the electrical system, the inspector will be determining if all the electrical panels are secure and cool to the touch, if all electrical rooms are free of any combustible materials, if Ground Fault Interrupter’s have been provided on circuits in proximity to water, and if electrical switches are in good working order.
heating systems will also be checked. Is there combustible material near the furnace? Is there a specific clearance provided around all heating equipment? Is the furnace or boiler kept in a locked room?
If smoking is allowed in the building, the inspector will check to make sure there are non-combustible receptacles provided in the smoking areas, if the smoking areas are clearly marked, and if the smoking materials are being disposed of properly.
Housekeeping is another area the inspector will be looking at. Not, specifically, is someone dusting the cubicles, but if the trash is being removed from the building daily, and if storage is restricted to specific areas, and if storage is being secured from rolling away or falling down.
Private protection includes making sure the fire extinguishers are provided, inspected, and currently tagged. It also means checking to see if there is an automatic sprinkler system set up and in good working order and is regularly tested; checking for a fire detection system and making sure it covers the entire building and is in good working order. Also, does the building have an emergency evacuation plan: are the exits unlocked, lit, and unobstructed, are there evacuation plans printed clearly on the walls, and so forth?
The miscellaneous section referred to earlier is generally reserved for anything else that was not previously classified. For example, are filters cleaned regularly; is all kitchen equipment is safe and working order, etc.
Remember that building inspectors can save you a lot of time and money by detecting any problems before they become lawsuits.
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